Transit agencies bring in new year with fare hikes

Multiple transit agencies are beginning the new year with fare hikes.

The cost to ride San Francisco’s famous cable cars will rise as of Jan. 1.

Single-ride fares will increase from $7 to $8. Fares during off-peak hours, between 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., and for seniors and people with disabilities will increase from $3 to $4.

One-, Three- and Seven-Day Visitor passports will also rise in cost beginning Jan. 1. Passports give visitors consecutive days of usage on Muni buses, historic streetcars, light rail and cable cars.

Visitors who pay in advance for any of the passport fares using a Clipper Card or the transit agency’s MuniMobile app will see $1 to $2 increases, but will continue to pay less than those who do not prepay.

The prepaid visitor passport fare will rise from $12 to 13 for one day, while three days will increase from $29 to $31. Muni’s Seven-Day Visitor Passport fare will climb from $39 to $41.

Riders who do not purchase passports in advance will soon pay $24 for  one day, $36 for three days and $47 for seven.

The fare increases were approved in 2018 by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency’s Board of Directors as part of the two-year budget.  

AC Transit riders will see a $0.50 jump next year as Transbay adult fares will cost $6 and single-ride adult fares will cost $2.50.

BART riders will also be expected to pay an additional 5.4 percent for fares beginning in January. A revised BART fare chart can be found on the agency’s website website.

Muni fare increased slightly this past July.

Jerold Chinn

Jerold serves as a reporter and San Francisco Bureau Chief for SFBay covering transportation and occasionally City Hall and the Mayor's Office in San Francisco. His work on transportation has been recognized by the San Francisco Press Club. Born and raised in San Francisco, he graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in journalism. Jerold previously wrote for the San Francisco Public Press, a nonprofit, noncommercial news organization. When not reporting, you can find Jerold taking Muni to check out new places to eat in the city.